How high is too high (mileage)?

[tigabalm]

Hey guys,

Guess I can never get too far away from Audi. Been in an f15 X5 for about a year and while it's been great, already looking to get back in an Audi. Had a B8.5 Q5 previously and was looking at the B9 Q5's. Then made the mistake of doing some research here and forgot that the forum is 99.7% SQ's, so of course I've started looking at SQ5's now.

However, the only SQ's in my price range are higher mileage examples (70~80k) and just wondering what you guys think is too high?

And/or general thoughts on Q5 lower mileage vs SQ5 higher mileage.

Would appreciate any input.

Thanks

[rcprato]

I would buy a higher mileage SQ5 if it was well taken care, that’s the $100K question.
It all comes down to price and condition, if you can verify it’s been well maintained and the price is right give it a go.
I would expect 2 or max 3 owners at this mileage and hopefully not one of those sales through a corner lot used car dealership
I thoroughly enjoy my 18 SQ5 and plan to put a lot of miles on it before I move on to next vehicle


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[yagiska]

How much lower mileage are we talking about on a Q5? What are your plans for it?

I had a B9 A4 from new before this one, was looking at moving to a new B9.5 Q5, but ended up picking up a late-model loaded B9.5 SQ5 instead w/ 14k miles.

The B9 Q5 and SQ5 are very different vehicles. Different engine, different transmission, different AWD system. And only the SQ offers air suspension and sport diff (optional sport pgk — highly recommend). The Q5 is still a great vehicle, though, and the DCT is cool.

On the SQ, while the engine and transmission are very solid, some early B9s had rare but expensive issues with the rocker arms. If you go with a higher mileage SQ, just make sure you get a PPI done by a competent specialist mechanic. Otherwise, at 70-80k a B9 SQ likely has a lot of life left.

As for personal opinion, while I think the SQ is worth every penny it costs over the Q, if it were me and it was going to be a mostly stock DD and my budget was firm, IÂ’d take a low mileage Q over a high mileage SQ. The Q is a great vehicle, super nice to ride around in, and still a quick crossover at 5.8s advertised 0-60 (thanks in no small part to that DCT). You can always do a stage 1 ECU tune if thatÂ’s not quick enough for you.

[tigabalm]

Thanks for the insights, guys!

The Q5's I was looking at are in the 45k~60k miles range vs 70~85k miles on the SQ5.

This is going to be our primary grocery getter (both of us are wfh), so not planning to do too much to it. But we all know how it always goes once the mod bug bites. My only real deal breaker was originally just the Driver Assistance Package (for the Adaptive Cruise with Traffic Jam Assist). But now that I started looking at the SQ's seems like Air is the way to go.

Also for reference, the SQ that I am looking at is a 2018 SQ5 Prestige w/ S Sport, Driver Assist, Navigation sitting at 83k on the ODO. 2 owners w/ clean carfax for $35k.

With the rocker arm issue, is there a way to tell which production years are most affected?

Thanks again!

[yagiska]

I believe the general consensus is that the rocker arm design was revised starting June 2018. That being said, the consensus also seems be that it’s a very rare issue and it wouldn’t stop me from buying a well maintained 2018 model. Just something to be aware of and one more reason not to skip the PPI.

I can see why you are torn :)

With that SQ you’ll get more HP but give up the DCT (the ZF is an awesome auto trans, but it’s still no DCT), get a rear-biased torsen AWD instead of a front-biased haldex AWD, and with the sport pkg, the adjustable air suspension, lower ride heights, and a torque vectoring rear sport diff. Otherwise in terms of looks, interior, tech features, etc there isn’t a huge difference.

If you aren’t going to put a ton of miles on it, maintenance history and PPI results are likely going to make a bigger difference to reliability than 50k vs 80k miles.

[asrautox]

Price seems high for 83k miles. Not sure of your market, but if you can stand to give up a few features with a P+ you could probably find a 40k-50k 2018 example in your price range. The used market is crashing bad, so good time to try to negotiate.


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[ccoop6]

That price seems high! We have one local that has 55k miles for 34k but it doesn’t have air suspension.

I have a 2018 SQ premium plus with sport package. I love the seats as mine are red and quilted. I just has a 22 loaner Q5 with most features and absolutely loved getting back in my car. Aside from the larger infotainment screen, wireless CarPlay and the 360 camera I’d take my 4 yr older SQ5 mayday over a Q5 even to save money and miles. The sound of the engine, rear bias AWD, and the power (I’m stage 1) is night and day.

Definitely shop around as the market gets better each day for the buyers. Make sure to haggle and don’t pay any asking price. What area (state) are you looking? Good luck!


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[LSxWittles]

Agreed with the rest that price is a bit steep for that mileage. If it isn't needed immediately I would definitely keep the search on for an SQ5. I'd think in that price range you'd be able to find one around 55k, give or take a few k's. Used market does seem to be getting somewhat better. I picked up an '18 P+ in November with 35k for a pretty good price, keep at it and you'll find what you're looking for in the price range you want to be in. Good luck with the search!

[jfive]

For reference, I just bought a 2019 SQ5 with 24k miles for $38k. Premium Plus. Purchased in Deerfield Beach, FL.

[greasykid]

re Q5 Have had 2016,2018 & 2020 Q5's prem plus. 2016....great car & no problems. Traded it for 2018 (very early Mex production.) $4000 warranty repairs. Traded 2018 for 2020. NO problems. All 3 cars were CPO from Audi dealer. The 2020 is the car to buy. Many up grades over 2018 incl better gas mileage. Have 23,000 mi now. Plenty fast enough. It's a keeper.

[ccoop6]

For reference, I just bought a 2019 SQ5 with 24k miles for $38k. Premium Plus. Purchased in Deerfield Beach, FL.

Damn! That’s a steal. Clean car fax?

I paid 42k and mine had 39k miles but was 7 months ago when it was still high. The 40 and 50k service was pre paid (about $1,500 value). Awesome find by you.


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[yagiska]

You can’t really compare prices without talking trim levels and options packages. A lot of people are giving good examples in your price range of lower mileage P+ with fewer options. The example you gave appears to be about market for a well-optioned Prestige.

If your budget is firm, and assuming you are looking at the SQ because you value performance, I would follow the advice given and look for a lower trim SQ with fewer options and far lower mileage. I have a 2021 (B9.5) Prestige with every option except tow package and dynamic steering (bought used to avoid parts shortage issues with new 2022s, or else I’d have those options too, and maybe ultra blue instead of glacier white :)). If I had to choose, though, I’d take a lower trim, less optioned SQ5 (even w/o the sport pkg) over a higher trim, loaded Q5 or high mileage SQ5. Your priorities might be different than mine, though.

[tigabalm]

Hey guys,

Seriously thank you for all the input, definitely helps in my search! Especially in terms of maintenance history vs mileage

So in terms of pricing vs packages/options, while the performance aspect is high on the list, the only thing that is a must have for us is the Driver Assistance Package. And finding an SQ with the driver assistance in my budget has been tough (especially somewhat locally-Seattle, WA). I am willing to travel anywhere to get the car, but one limiting factor is I am looking to trade in my current vehicle at the same time, so it makes it harder sourcing a car across the country.... What do you guys think would be a fair price for a 2018 SQ Prestige (with driver assist and sport package) at 60~70k mi?

Thanks again and happy new year all!

[yagiska]

Hey guys,

Seriously thank you for all the input, definitely helps in my search! Especially in terms of maintenance history vs mileage

So in terms of pricing vs packages/options, while the performance aspect is high on the list, the only thing that is a must have for us is the Driver Assistance Package. And finding an SQ with the driver assistance in my budget has been tough (especially somewhat locally-Seattle, WA). I am willing to travel anywhere to get the car, but one limiting factor is I am looking to trade in my current vehicle at the same time, so it makes it harder sourcing a car across the country.... What do you guys think would be a fair price for a 2018 SQ Prestige (with driver assist and sport package) at 60~70k mi?

Thanks again and happy new year all!

FYI I believe starting in 2020 you could get the driver assistance package on the P+. That’s the last B9 year and you should be able to find one close to your price range and under your mileage goal if you are patient. Price jumps a bit 2021 or later with the B9.5 changes.

[Thelumpya2]

About 4 months ago, I purchased a 2018 SQ5 with 72k, from an Audi dealership. It was a one owner car, with a flawless dealer service record, that was sold, serviced and traded in at the original dealership. It was well maintained, and does not seem to have any oil consumption issues, nor does it have a hint of rocker arm issue. It's a prestige with cold weather package and warm weather package, but it doesn't have sport package (I didn't want air bags). If you can find a similar situation, I think it's probably a safe buy. I paid $34,750 for it.

So far I've put about 5k on it, and it's an incredible vehicle.

[rcprato]

@Thelumpya2 it looks like you found a very nice used car, looks great !


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[chawski]

If it helps, I’m about to hit 160k on my 18 SQ5 and just replaced my water pump about 5k miles ago for the first “non maintenance” trip to a shop. I do oil changed every 5-7K, spark plugs at 40, transmission service at 60k intervals and it’s treated me well. With 3 kids, I kinda need something bigger next time but if I were replacing in the same size, I’d have no isssues buying a 70-80k sq5 that was taken care of